Providing the Tools for Success

When seeking a career that provides opportunities for professional growth, self-improvement, and support resources, it can be overwhelming to know where to look. Every individual has unique interests, and at Wichita Public Schools, we are proud of the growing number of ways we are meeting the needs of the diverse workforce we employ.  

Many look for opportunities to grow within the company they serve, and WPS is proud to offer many ways for individuals to do just that. Through the Aspiring Building Leaders Program, current licensed building personnel are able to apply for and receive training that is essential to the district’s vision, mission, goals and Strategic Plan. They are the crucial pipeline for when building leadership positions become available in any of our 87 schools or special program locations.

Maybe you’re not quite ready to lead a building but would love the opportunity to engage one of the most diverse student populations in the state! In an effort to help combat the chronic teacher shortage across the nation, Wichita Public Schools has designed a forgivable loan program known as Grow Your Own Teacher. In this program, select employees can receive financial assistance while perusing a career as a full-time teacher in a certified, hard to fill position. These positions include teaching subjects such as Special Education, Math, English, History, Science, or teaching in traditional elementary classrooms. 

Making large career choices and moves can be a big decision, and we understand! Perhaps keeping up with technology trends and knowing that your employer supports professional development is key. WPS is proud to offer many professional development resources no matter your position in the district. Whether you choose to navigate certain Microsoft courses on your own, provided by the talented Wichita Public Schools technology department, or you immerse yourself in designated professional development days hosted at various sites across the district, the options are plenty!  

Knowing that you have unlimited resources would make you feel pretty invincible, right? Well, we may not have unlimited resources, but since celebrating our 150th year in education in 2020-2021 we have learned a thing or two about which resources are most important to not only our students but also our staff. Maintaining 10,008,704 square feet of building space (yes, you read that correctly, that’s 10 million) is no easy task. We are proud to have complete Facilities and Operations teams to help in the efficient maintenance and running of all our buildings. One of the most beloved parts of Operations is the Parent Teacher Resource Center. Here, staff and community members can take advantage of popular machines such as laminators, binding machines, copiers, die cuts and much more, as well as purchase materials by the piece.  

Being part of such a great community for so long has allowed us to set up many great partnerships throughout the Wichita area. We are proud to be able to use those partnerships to help boost our students’ success. One of the most exciting times of the year is the Education Edge Mini Grant surprise visits. Teachers in the district apply for and are awarded these grants based on the opportunities they plan to create for their students. The funds are provided by staff who donate through payroll deduct and by local community donors who believe in the education provided by Wichita Public Schools.  

Whether you are looking for a career that will help you become a leader in the workplace, or engage with the future leaders of tomorrow, we may just have the right spot for you. We hope this first look inside the district was insightful and we look forward to sharing more in the months ahead.